CARGILL

WICHITA, Kan. — Cargill’s U.S. meat business, headquartered in Wichita, plans to invest $14.7 million to create a new facility with research, development, culinary, laboratory, pilot plant and distribution capabilities on Wichita Street, between 1st and 2nd streets, in downtown. Named the “Cargill Innovation Center” by an
employee project team, the 75,000-square-foot, two-story complex is being built for Cargill by developer Arco National Construction Company, Inc. and architect GMA Design Group Inc., both headquartered in St. Louis, Mo. Construction is scheduled to begin July 2010, with completion projected for June 2011.

WICHITA, Kan. — Stephanie Smith and Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation announce jointly that they have settled the lawsuit filed by Ms. Smith in December 2009. Ms. Smith, a twenty-two-year-old former dance instructor from Cold Spring, Minn., sued for the severe injuries she suffered as a result of an E. coli O157:H7 infection in Fall 2007. Cargill acknowl-edged responsibility for her injuries since first learning of them and has been providing financial help to her and her family.

SCHUYLER, Neb. — A federal judge has certified a class-action lawsuit against Cargill Meat Solutions Corp. over whether workers at the company’s Schuyler plant should be paid for preparation and cleanup work.